Ceramics

In ProcessThe ceramic process allows the artist to fully, physically engage in the process of creating a work. Ceramic arts focus on the hand-made and my process allows me to emphasize that tactility in the creation of my work. From rolling and slicing to pressing and smoothing, I repeat each step in my process over and over, thousands of times, until a piece is formed. The process becomes familiar and I find a deep comfort in the familiar. These tedious, repetitive processes that I use to create my works have become a mental sanctuary for me.

Fueling the process is the experience of watching the tiny pieces slowly cover a smooth slab or join together to create a larger form, with every space filled with a perfectly fitting bit of clay. The simple, organic slab becomes an intricate environment with complex texture and dimension. I strive to create works that can shyly emerge from a corner and, simultaneously, command a room with their presence. The process of creating the work is part of the larger process of my development as an artist. Skills must be practiced and the concepts behind the works must constantly be evaluated and pushed. The repetition of the studio practice allows for the development of skills and the in depth exploration of concepts through experimentation with new materials and processes. As an artist, I am always growing and learning and always in process.